Microbiome analysis as a platform R&D tool for parasitic nematode disease management

Hogan, G., Walker, S., Turnbull, F. , Curiao, T., Morrison, A. A., Flores, Y., Andrews, L., Claesson, M. J., Tangney, M. and Bartley, D. J. (2019) Microbiome analysis as a platform R&D tool for parasitic nematode disease management. ISME Journal, 13, pp. 2664-2680. (doi: 10.1038/s41396-019-0462-4) (PMID:31239540) (PMCID:PMC6794328)

Abstract

The relationship between bacterial communities and their host is being extensively investigated for the potential to improve the host’s health. Little is known about the interplay between the microbiota of parasites and the health of the infected host. Using nematode co-infection of lambs as a proof-of-concept model, the aim of this study was to characterise the microbiomes of nematodes and that of their host, enabling identification of candidate nematode-specific microbiota member(s) that could be exploited as drug development tools or for targeted therapy. Deep sequencing techniques were used to elucidate the microbiomes of different life stages of two parasitic nematodes of ruminants, Haemonchus contortus and Teladorsagia circumcincta, as well as that of the co-infected ovine hosts, pre- and post infection. Bioinformatic analyses demonstrated significant differences between the composition of the nematode and ovine microbiomes. The two nematode species also differed significantly. The data indicated a shift in the constitution of the larval nematode microbiome after exposure to the ovine microbiome, and in the ovine intestinal microbial community over time as a result of helminth co-infection. Several bacterial species were identified in nematodes that were absent from their surrounding abomasal environment, the most significant of which included Escherichia coli/Shigella. The ability to purposefully infect nematode species with engineered E. coli was demonstrated in vitro, validating the concept of using this bacterium as a nematode-specific drug development tool and/or drug delivery vehicle. To our knowledge, this is the first description of the concept of exploiting a parasite’s microbiome for drug development and treatment purposes.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: MT acknowledges relevant support from Science Foundation Ireland (15/CDA/3630 and 12/RC/2273). We also gratefully acknowledge funding from The Scottish Government’s Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division (RESAS).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Turnbull, Dr Frank
• Authors: Hogan, G., Walker, S., Turnbull, F., Curiao, T., Morrison, A. A., Flores, Y., Andrews, L., Claesson, M. J., Tangney, M., and Bartley, D. J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: ISME Journal
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• ISSN: 1751-7362
• ISSN (Online): 1751-7370
• Published Online: 25 June 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © The Authors, under exclusive licence to International Society for Microbial Ecology 2019
• First Published: First published in ISME Journal 13:2664-2680
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy